Mentoring programme relaunched

NEXT GENERATION: Sir John Kirwan meets the members of Collegiate's new High Performance Sport Programme - Christian Conder (left), Harry Symes, Beth Norman, Jane Lennox, Alice Bird, Annabelle Gourlie, Jazmin Phillips and Shannon Schimanski. Absent: Stephen Perofeta.PHOTO/SUPPLIED

WANGANUI Collegiate has relaunched its High Performance Sport Programme to mentor the school's latest stars on the national and international stage.

The renewed programme was launched recently, with the members of the group meeting former Blues coach and All Black Sir John Kirwan at the school on Tuesday.

Senior master and athletics coach Alec McNab said the programme seeks: "To enhance the extensive existing school sporting programme in the pursuit of excellence and to provide the bridge to successful post-school sporting achievement".

This will involve mentoring students on how to cope with the demands of balancing sport and academic demands and help them continue their success after they leave school.

From the 16 members of the 2006-7 programme, 12 went on to notable achievements post-Collegiate.

Two rowed for New Zealand, and four went to the United States on university sports scholarships - three in athletics, one for tennis.

The standouts were runner Lucy van Dalen, who made the 2012 London Olympic Games semifinals for the 1500m, and motorsport star Earl Bamber, who in June was in the 24 Hour Le Man's race winning team.

The current performance group members are:

Alice Bird: Cross country, Athletics (NZSS cross country team 2014, ranked second nationally for U18 2000m steeplechase).

Christian Conder: Cross country, athletics (NZSS cross country team. Ranked third nationally in Youth 1500m).

Annabelle Gourlie: Equestrian (second reserve for NZ U21 showjumping team).

Jane Lennox: Cross country (NZSS cross country team).

Beth Norman: Hockey (Central Districts U18 and U21).

Stephen Perofeta: Rugby (Hurricanes U18).

Jazmin Phillips: Swimming and triathlon (national success in the pool and open-water swimming, triathlon).

Shannon Schimanski: Swimming (NZ age-group champion and representative).

Harry Symes: Athletics (NZ top-ranked U18 400m runner. Member of winning 4x100m, and 4x400m NZ Schools team).